49ers take Nick Bosa with No. 2 pick in draft

The San Francisco 49ers selected defensive end Nick Bosa out of Ohio State with the second overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

It's the fourth time in five years San Francisco has used a first-round pick on a defensive lineman. The 49ers drafted Solomon Thomas third overall in 2017, DeForest Buckner at No. 7 in 2016, and Arik Armstead 17th in 2015, to a tune of mixed results.

Bosa, the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers star edge rusher Joey, heads to the Bay Area on the heels of a three-year career at Ohio State. A former five-star recruit, he collected four sacks in three games last year before suffering a core muscle injury. He chose not to return later in the season and instead turned his focus to the draft.

In 12 games as a sophomore in 2017, Bosa notched 8.5 sacks.

San Francisco struggled to rush the passer a year ago as it managed only 37 sacks as a team, tied for the 22nd most in the league.

Prospect profile

School: Ohio State
Height: 6-4
Weight: 266 lbs

Strengths

• Ideal combination of size, strength, and athleticism for an every-down role on the edge
• Explosive first step to get upfield and to close on the quarterback
• Advanced hand usage makes for seamless efforts to disengage from blocks
• Speed and bend to consistently win around the edge
• Counters threat on the outside with effective inside move
• Converts speed to power well with bull rush
• Balance shows on ability to work through contact and stay off the ground
• Strong hand work allows for readjustment and another move when initially stopped
• Stout run defender setting the edge, knifing into the backfield, or closing the back side

Weaknesses

• Missed most of junior season with a core muscle injury
• Athletic scores didn't match explosiveness and change-of-direction skills shown on tape
• Lacks sack and tackle production of typical elite prospects at the position

Bottom line

A consensus top prospect in this class, Bosa is the type of blue-chip player who can transform a defensive front. He enters the NFL as a polished three-down force on the edge - much like his brother, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa. He has no shortage of ways to beat his opponent as both a pass-rusher and a run defender. Aside from the relative lack of collegiate production, it's difficult to take issue with much of anything in his game. His pro potential was evident from the time he arrived at Ohio State and he should quickly establish himself as a Pro Bowl regular.